MSP says first aid scheme can save lives in Glasgow schools

The Green Party's health spokesperson Gillian Mackay says that providing kids with vital first aid training at an early age is 'common sense' and can help avoid potential future tragedies.

It follows the launch of the scheme in 2021 and a campaign by St Andrew’s First Aid to follow the lead of Scandinavian countries in rolling out the skills to youngsters.

Ms Mackay said: “First Aid lessons are something that by the time we are adults many of us simply won’t have done or will ever find the time to learn, despite the fact it could literally help to save someone’s life.

“It makes sense for us to look at ensuring they can be taught and embedded in young people at the earliest opportunity when in Glasgow people are dying every die from heart attacks or related issues.

Gillian Mackay MSP (Image: Green Party)

“Accidents can happen anywhere at any time, even in our schools, so there is no downside to extending a common sense opt-in scheme like this for everyone's benefit."

The politician says that cash should be found as a matter of urgency to roll out the pilot.

She added: “Funding will of course rightly be raised as a potential barrier, but the potential cost savings of early intervention are something that should be looked into as modest costs would be far outweighed by the benefits.

“I have written to St Andrew’s First Aid and both the health and education ministers asking for their comments on the results of the pilot programme and how this could be progressed at pace."

A petition calling for First Aid in schools was previously raised in parliament by the Chief Executive of St Andrew’s First Aid Stuart Callison.